The Power of Art by Queer Refugees in a Time of Polarization
- Date
- 11 December 2025
- Time
- 20:00
- Location
- SPUI25
Right-wing and xenophobic rhetoric actively manufactures fear and legitimizes structural intolerance toward refugees. Upon arriving in the Netherlands, refugees face the profound rupture of displacement, losing a home while being compelled to rebuild a new one within a hostile political climate. For those who identify as LGBTQIA+, these pressures multiply, forcing them to navigate their identities in environments shaped by both anti-migrant sentiment and queerphobic structures.
This panel discussion explores storytelling, performance, and visual expression to open space for self-reflection, empathy, and connection. We’ll talk about how creative practices can help Queer refugees share their experiences in ways that invite understanding rather than fear, and how the arts can push back against the dominant narratives that try to divide us.
The event will also feature a poetry performance by Naya Aljoudi (@theydontexist_), bringing us a powerful personal voice to the conversation. Cover art by Anne Mei Poppe ( @annemeipoppe).
SPUI25 is the academic-cultural podium of Amsterdam. Since 2007, we have been giving scientists, authors, artists and other thinkers the opportunity to shine a light on issues that occupy, inspire or concern them. In cooperation with a large number of academic and cultural partners, we organize between 250 and 300 freely accessible programs per year. These are enriching, often interdisciplinary programs that move between science and culture, fact and fiction.
SPUI25 is one of the UvA podia in the University Quarter.
